Just cannot understand Scarsdale parking (White Plains, Hartsdale: schools, property taxes, live in)

[2dads3kids]

Hi everyone,

Please assume I am a bit thick while you read the following. Trying to figure out parking in Scarsdale has made me feel like an idiot myself!

We are planning to move to Scarsdale in the next few months - May/June/July. We like everything we have learned about the community (well, except the property taxes, but we accept those as the cost of amazing schools). But parking around the commuter lots - that still really confuses us.

Are there public and private lots around the Scarsdale station? If so, how you can tell which is which?

If you live in Scarsdale (Fox Meadow), and want to park in Hartsdale, is that allowed?

How hard is it to get a permit that gives you a guaranteed spot, in either private or public lots. I have read about a lottery in June. What percentage of applicants tend to get awarded a spot?

If worse comes to worst, and you don't get a permit via the lottery, what are your options? If there are private lots, do they guarantee a space? Or can you use meters? If so, do they require a permit, in addition to loads of quarters?

Is there any priority for hybrid/electric cars in parking? We haven't bought a car yet, but we are happy to consider a hybrid if that makes parking easier.

Hope there's someone out there with the time to explain parking to an absolute newbie. We are moving from London, where we can tell you all about the Tube, but nothing about parking

Thanks, thanks, thanks!

[ajs317]

I can't help with the specifics of your questions, but I can offer a good fallback option. If you can't get a guaranteed space somewhere at Scarsdale/Hartsdale for whatever reason, the County Center lot at the White Plains station is a 5 minute drive up the Bronx River Parkway from Fox Meadow. It's $7.00 cash a day, and spots are plentiful. Depending on your commuting schedule, WP may be a superior option anyway because it has more trains than Scarsdale or Hartsdale.

[streetsmart]

When you move to Scarsdale, take proof of residency to the village hall and apply for a parking permit. They'll tell you which lots have spaces and you choose which one you want. Pay them money. The end.

You may only park at the Hartsdale station in the metered spots.

The lots will have signs telling you which kind of permit is required to park there.

Don't assume that WP has more trains or a better schedule. In the AM at least there are several peak rush hour trains that start in Hartsdale, then stop in Scarsdale, and then go straight to Grand Central.

[2dads3kids]

Thanks for your responses, everyone. These are very helpful. Do you think that having a signed housing contract will be sufficient proof of residency to apply for a permit?